U.S. patent application number 12/710703 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for adaptable transfer and publication of digital media.
This patent application is currently assigned to CBS INTERACTIVE, INC.. Invention is credited to Eric Nathan FRIEDMAN, Gokhan KUTLU, James PARK.
Application Number | 20100153864 12/710703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38140926 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100153864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; James ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
ADAPTABLE TRANSFER AND PUBLICATION OF DIGITAL MEDIA
Abstract
An adaptable method for facilitating user interaction with
digital media objects. Representations of substantially-reduced
data size of each of the digital media objects are transferred
before the transfer of copies of the original data size of each of
the digital media objects so as to enable earlier user interaction.
The user interaction includes, for example, requesting
modifications to the object. The method provides feedback of any
requested action from the user interaction with the
substantially-reduced data size representations and in response
thereto, determines as a function of the requested action whether
to reprioritize transfer of untransferred original data size copies
of the corresponding digital media object. The method provides for
modification of copies that are to be transferred according to
modifications requested by the user with respect to the transferred
substantially-reduced data size representations. The method can be
used for audio, video, image, and other digital media objects.
Inventors: |
PARK; James; (Berkeley,
CA) ; FRIEDMAN; Eric Nathan; (San Francisco, CA)
; KUTLU; Gokhan; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY LLP
401 Ninth Street, N.W., Suite 900
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Assignee: |
CBS INTERACTIVE, INC.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
38140926 |
Appl. No.: |
12/710703 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11302684 |
Dec 13, 2005 |
7703012 |
|
|
12710703 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/760 ;
709/247; 715/764 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/4387
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/760 ;
709/247; 715/764 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01 |
Claims
1. A method for facilitating user interaction with a plurality of
digital media objects, comprising the steps of: receiving a request
to transfer the digital media objects to a second computing device
from a first computing device; transferring representations of
substantially-reduced data size of each of the digital media
objects to the second computing device; subsequently transferring
copies of original data size of each of the digital media objects
to the second computing device; wherein each of the
substantially-reduced data size representations and copies of
original data size have a transfer priority, wherein the transfer
priority of each of the substantially-reduced data size
representations is higher than the corresponding transfer priority
for each of the corresponding original data size copies; publishing
the transferred substantially-reduced data size representations so
as to enable interaction therewith by a user through a user
interface and so as to enable the user to selectively request that
a modification be performed on one of the digital media objects by
requesting that the modification be performed on the corresponding
published substantially-reduced data size representation; in
response to the modification requested by the user, determining as
a function of the requested modification whether to reprioritize
transfer of any and all untransferred copies of the corresponding
digital media objects; and wherein a unique identifier is
associated with each digital media object and the corresponding
substantially-reduced data size representation and original data
size copy.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring between the first
computing device and the second computing device is via a wireless
protocol.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identifiers are
generated at the second computing device and sent to the first
computing device from the second computing device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identifiers for the
digital media objects are generated at the first device and
transferred along with the corresponding substantially-reduced data
size representation and original data size copy.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising after transferring
representations of substantially-reduced data size of each of the
digital media objects to a second computing device; subsequently
transferring other representations of each of the digital media
objects to the second computing device, wherein the other
representations have a data size between the substantially-reduced
data size representation and the copies of original data size;
wherein the unique identifier for the corresponding digital media
object is associated with each of the corresponding other
representations.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the other representations each
have a larger data size than the corresponding
substantially-reduced data size representation.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the other representations
comprises identifying information for the digital media object.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the substantially-reduced
data size representations comprises identifying information for the
digital media object; wherein the identifying information enables
the user to request the modification based only on the identifying
information.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interaction includes
viewing the published digital media object.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the untransferred copies are not
transferred if the requested modification modifies the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representation so as
to indicate that transfer of the untransferred copies of the
corresponding digital media objects is not required.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the requested modification is
deletion.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein if executing the requested
modification requires publishing an untransferred copy of the
corresponding digital media object, prioritizing transfer of the
untransferred copy such that the untransferred copy is transferred
before other untransferred representations and copies.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of other
representations for each digital media object is three.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media objects
include image content.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media objects
include video content.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media objects
include audio content.
17. The method of claim 7, wherein the digital media objects
include image content and wherein the substantially-reduced data
size representations are thumbnails.
18. The method of claim 5, wherein only a predetermined number of
the other representations are stored on the first computing
device.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is on a third
computing device.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is provided
on the first computing device.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is provided
on a webpage accessible via a browser.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to transfer
originates from another user at the first computing device and
wherein the user is authorized by the another user so as to enable
the user to cause actions to be taken on the published
representations and copies of original data size of the
corresponding digital media objects.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the method enables
reprioritization of the transfer of untransferred representations
and copies of a digital media object in response to a predetermined
modification of the digital media object on the first computing
device.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the method enables
reprioritizing of the transfer of untransferred representations and
copies of a particular digital media object as a function of
demands for the particular published digital media object received
at the second computing device.
25. A method for facilitating user interaction with a plurality of
digital media objects, comprising the steps of: receiving a request
to transfer the digital media objects to a second computing device
from a first computing device; storing representations of
substantially-reduced data size of each of the digital media
objects in a first queue; subsequently transferring representations
from the first queue to a second computing device; storing copies
of original data size of each of the digital media objects in a
second queue; subsequently transferring copies from the second
queue to the second computing device; publishing the transferred
substantially-reduced data size representations so as to enable
interaction therewith by a user through a user interface and so as
to enable the user to selectively request that a modification be
performed on one of the digital media objects by requesting that
the modification be performed on the corresponding published
substantially-reduced data size representation; wherein the first
queue and second queue enable reordering priority of transfer from
the first and second queues such that the priority of any
representations and copies stored therein can be changed, and
wherein the first queue and second queue enable removal of
representations and copies stored therein; in response to the
modification requested by the user, determining as a function of
the requested modification whether to reprioritize transfer of any
and all untransferred copies of the corresponding digital media
objects from the corresponding queue; and wherein a unique
identifier is associated with each digital media object and the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representation and
original data size copy.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:
generating representations of substantially-reduced data size of
each of the digital media objects; and generating copies of
original data size of each of the digital media objects.
27. The method of claim 8, wherein the identifying information is
text.
28. The method of claim 15, wherein the substantially-reduced data
size representation comprises one or more stillframes of the
corresponding digital media object.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein separate queues are associated
with each category and wherein the other representations are stored
in the corresponding separate queue.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the modification is at least one
from the group consisting of deletion, rotation, placement into a
collection, and copying.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of prior application Ser.
No. 11/302,684, filed Dec. 13, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to methods for facilitating user
interaction with digital media objects that are transferred from
one device to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Online publishing generally refers to putting digital
content online, typically at a website. The digital content can
include digital visual and aural media objects including, but not
limited to, video, audio, and still image content. The online
publisher typically enables a user who requested transfer of the
digital media objects for publication and other authorized users to
interact with published digital media objects via a user interface.
For example, an authorized user may modify a digital media object,
e.g., deletion. The quality of the user experience is lessened
considerably if there are unreasonably delays between the request
for transfer and the time that the user is allowed to interact with
transferred digital media objects.
[0004] The online publishing of digital media objects is increasing
rapidly. The largest photo sharing service, for example, has over
two hundred million digital photo images accessible online. The
largest online music service has over two million digital audio
objects accessible online. Video content is increasingly being
published on websites to enable online access.
[0005] Digital media objects are growing larger and larger as
higher resolution digital devices and storage media become
available to the average consumer. The size of a digital photo or
digital video objects varies depending on the camera's megapixel
resolution and the compression format used to generate the digital
object. For example, digital photo cameras rated at 8 megapixel
resolution capability or above are commonly available for
consumers. An 8 megapixel digital photo camera typically enables
selection of several different resolutions, e.g., 640.times.480 up
to 3264.times.2448 (3264.times.2448=7,990,272 pixels). The size of
a digital video file depends on various factors including the time
duration, number of frames per second, resolution and amount of
compression. High resolution digital video cameras are available to
consumers, thus enabling creation of even larger digital media
files.
[0006] For images and video, resolution directly affects quality in
that the higher the resolution, the more picture detail is captured
in each image or frame and the closer the result can resemble the
original source. The size of a digital audio object is a function
of the length of the audio segment and the digital encoding format.
Lossy or lossless compression are typically used for encoding audio
objects to reduce storage requirements and transfer time.
[0007] Conventional online publishing services typically enable a
user to transfer, i.e., upload, digital media objects and make them
a part of collections that can be shared with the public or
designated individuals. The known services also offer the options
to do some editing as part of the interaction with the uploaded
content, e.g., adding captions to further identify the object or
rotating a photo.
[0008] The conventional uploading of digital media objects to a
website, for example, is time consuming especially for uploading a
large number of large digital media objects. Upload time can vary
from a few seconds up to several minutes or hours, depending on the
speed of the connection and the size and number of the objects.
Many users have slow dial-up connections which cause uploads to
take considerable time using conventional methods. Many users are
migrating from slower dial-up connections to faster broadband
connections. Although broadband connections provide faster download
times of several megabits per second, the upload speed for
broadband connections is typically limited to a much slower speed,
e.g., about 125 Kilobytes per second for a cable modem. A typical
online digital photo album has approximately fifty pictures.
Assuming eight megapixels per image with a compressed file size in
JPG format of just over 2 MB and the upload transfer rate of 125
KBytes/second, the transfer of the fifty digital photos could take
more than fifteen minutes. The transfer time may be even longer
when a wireless protocol, such as BLUETOOTH, cellular, etc., is
used to transfer the digital media object.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a system 10
illustrating digital media object transfer and publishing aspects
according to a conventional method. The system 10 includes a client
device 20 connecting via a connection 30 to a device 40. The client
device 20 is a computing device, e.g., a personal computer,
handheld device having network capability, or the like. The
connection 30 is typically via the Internet, although other
suitable connections for connecting computing devices, e.g.,
BLUETOOTH, cellular, etc. are used. The device 40 is typically any
computing device capable of publishing content for distribution
over a network, such as a server, as shown.
[0010] In the exemplary scenario for the system illustrated in FIG.
1, a request is made to transfer two digital media objects
I1.sup.L, identified as 22, and I2.sup.L, identified as 24, from
client device 20 to the server 40. The objects 22 and 24 have an
original file size which is also referred to as the large size and
noted by the superscript "L". The digital media objects may be
images, video, or audio objects. The digital media objects 22 and
24 are typically published at the server 40 such that a user can
access them via the connection 30 from either the client device 20
or another similar device (not shown). A typical server 40, such as
at a photo sharing site, for example, enables a user to access the
original size image and one or more smaller sized copies, including
a display size (also referred to as medium) and thumbnail size
(also referred to herein as small) copies. Multiple sizes are
typically published to enhance the user's experience by enabling
the user to, for example, view thumbnail photos to see more of the
contents of photos collected into an album, view larger display
size photos to see more details of the image, etc.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates sets 60 and 70 of exemplary reduced file
sized copies and the original file size copies of the two digital
media objects 22 and 24. Set 60 includes for image I1 a small size
copy 62, shown also I1.sup.S, a medium sized copy, shown also
I1.sup.M, and a large size copy, shown as I1.sup.L. Similarly, set
70 includes for image 12 a small size copy 72, shown also I2.sup.S,
a medium sized copy, shown also I2.sup.M, and a large size copy,
shown also as I2.sup.L. It should be appreciated that original size
is referred to in FIG. 2 as the large size in comparison to the
other reduced sizes shown. In the example in FIG. 2, the three
sizes are generated typically using software on the local client
device 20, and then transferred to the server 40.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows the order 50 in which the different sized
copies in sets 60 and 70 are sent to the server 40 from the client
device 20 via the connection 30, according to a conventional
method. The conventional method, shown in the example in FIG. 1,
transfers the small size I1.sup.S, followed by the medium size
I1.sup.M, followed by the large size, I1.sup.L copy of the first
object I1. The small size copy of object I2, I2.sup.S, is only
transferred using the conventional method after the largest copy of
the previous object, I1.sup.L, has been transferred. As shown at
50, the order of the transfer for the copies of object I2 is the
small size I2.sup.S, followed by the medium size I2.sup.M, and
followed by the large size, I2.sup.L. The prior art system 10 makes
the transfer in a non-adaptable way such that the transfer always
follows the order shown at 50 independently of any actions
requested by a user who is viewing published copies of the
transferred copies via the server 40.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary diagram of a plurality of small
size objects, I1.sup.s to I30.sup.S, that were transferred and
published. An average online photo album contains more images,
fifty, with each original sized image potentially originating from
an 8 megapixel camera. A drawback of the convention method
illustrated in FIG. 1 is that the delay from the moment the user
requests an upload of the 50 images from the local client device 20
to the time all sizes are transferred in order, following the order
shown at 50, published for display, and available for selection is
usually more than fifteen minutes. The known method of FIG. 1 also
only enable the user to select a transferred object and requests
editing or some other action for the selected object after all the
smallest size and other size copies are transferred in order from
small to large size as shown at 50. Consequently, a user starts the
upload using the conventional method of FIG. 1 and then must wait
several minutes before being able to view all thumbnail copies of
the image. Moreover, according to some known methods, only after
all images are transferred, i.e., after the last thumbnail is
viewable and its corresponding copies have been transferred, is the
user enabled to selectively request action for any of the
transferred objects.
[0014] One known method described in U.S. Published Application No.
2002/0135794 transfers lower-resolution copies of digital images to
a central server using relatively low-bandwidth communication and
subsequently transfer higher-resolution copies of the digital
images to the central server using relatively high-bandwidth
communication. This known method is sensitive to bandwidth and has
the drawback of not being adaptable. That is, the method of U.S.
Published Application No. 2002/0135794 determines the transfer
sequence based on resolution and bandwidth, and does not provide
adaptability for controlling the transfer sequence as a function of
actions requested by a user who is accessing transferred digital
images. For example, if the user views one or more of the
transferred lower-resolution copies and decides that he/she wants
to delete or otherwise modify one or more of the images for some
reason, and the corresponding higher-resolution copies has not yet
been transferred, the method of U.S. Published Application No.
2002/0135794 does not provide a method to determine whether to
reprioritize the transfer of the untransferred higher-resolution
copies of the corresponding digital images as a function of the
requested modification. Thus, the method of U.S. Published
Application No. 2002/0135794 has a drawback of having no feedback
of the users request for deletion, for example, in order to halt
the transfer of unneeded larger high-resolution copies, so time is
wasted transferring the corresponding higher-resolution copies of
images even though the user has already indicated he/she wants
those images deleted, in this example. Thus, the method of U.S.
Published Application No. 2002/0135794 has a drawback of not being
adaptable to user demands and thereby lessening the user experience
by wasting valuable transfer time transferring large
higher-resolution copies that are not needed. As a result of the
wasted time in this example, the method of U.S. Published
Application No. 2002/0135794 takes more time than necessary to
transfer needed images, causing the user to experience needless
delays in viewing the images.
[0015] For another example, if the user views one or more of the
transferred lower-resolution copies and decides that he/she wants
to view a corresponding higher-resolution copy and the
corresponding higher-resolution copies has not yet been
transferred, the method of U.S. Published Application No.
2002/0135794 does not provide a method to reprioritize the transfer
of the desired untransferred higher-resolution copy as a function
of the user interaction with the lower-resolution copy. That is,
for the known methods, the requested higher-resolution copy is not
sent earlier based on the user request. Consequently, for the known
methods there are unnecessary delays before the user can view the
requested larger image and thus, the user experience is
diminished.
[0016] What is needed therefore is an adaptable method that can
reprioritize transfer of an untransferred copy of a digital media
object as a function of user requests for action regarding an
already transferred smaller size representations of the same
digital media object.
[0017] The following scenario further illustrates a drawback of the
known methods. During the uploading of a 50 image photo album, for
example, the user at the webpage viewing the thumbnail images that
have been transferred and published for display might realize upon
viewing a particular thumbnail image that she wishes to delete an
image that is cutoff, poorly lit, or otherwise undesirable.
According to a known method, the user must wait for all the images
in all sizes to be transferred and published before being allowed
to request deletion of the undesirable image. That is, the user
viewing the published undesirable thumbnail image is unable to halt
the transfer of other sizes of the undesirable image even though
he/she wishes to delete all copies in all sizes of the image. As a
result, the user's experience is diminished due to the delays and
time is wasted transferring large sized copies corresponding to the
poor quality thumbnail image that the user wishes to delete.
[0018] The drawback of known methods is further compounded when
there is a slower connection from device 20, e.g., a dial-up
connection, slow wireless connection. Use of those slower
connections can cause a delay of a half hour to an hour or more
before all photos, in the example above, are transferred. There is
therefore a need for a method that adapts to user interaction with
a published representation of a digital media object so as to
enable more rapid access by a user to the published object and more
efficiently transfers multiple sizes of a digital media object.
[0019] It should be appreciated that there are drawbacks described
above apply similarly to audio, video, and image and other digital
media objects. It is desirable to transfer smaller file size copies
of an audio file or a video file, for example, to provide a preview
to a user along with the full original sized object. Moreover, the
drawback of known methods is compounded for video files which are
much larger on average than the average image or audio file.
[0020] There is also thus also a need for an adaptable method that
enables more efficient transfer and publication based on user
interaction with published transferred representations of digital
media objects so as to avoid wasting time transferring objects when
the user may have already decided to delete or otherwise alter the
object based on a published smaller version of the objects. Known
systems allow a user to request that other modifications be
performed on a published digital media object. For example, a user
typically can request rotation of a selected image or video object,
adding a caption to a selected image or video object, or placing a
copy of the digital media object, i.e., image, audio, or video
objects, into a collection. Typically, collections such as
collections 1 and 2, identified as 42 and 44 respectively in FIG. 1
are created and made selectively shareable with other users having
access to the server 40. Known sharing websites also allow a user
to selectively authorize another user to access and cause an action
to be taken on shared digital media objects. For example, the
authorization might restrict another user to viewing the image or
video object or listening to the audio object. Alternatively, the
user may select to authorize another user to alter shared objects.
The user experience is lessened if needless delays occur in known
systems by not reprioritizing transfer based on user actions, for
example, if the user views a transferred and published thumbnail
image object and requested deletion of the object such that
transfer of other untransferred copies of the corresponding digital
media object are not needed. What is needed therefore is a method
that, in response to the action requested by the user, determines
as a function of the requested action whether to reprioritize
transfer of any and all untransferred copies of the corresponding
digital media objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides a method for facilitating
user interaction with a plurality of digital media objects in a
more efficient way so as to enhancing the overall user experience
with published digital media objects. The method provides feedback
of the user interaction and any requested action therefrom for
substantially-reduced data size representations and in response
thereto, determining as a function of the requested action whether
to reprioritize transfer of untransferred original data size copies
and any other untransferred representations of the corresponding
digital media object.
[0022] Broadly stated, the present invention provides a method for
facilitating user interaction with a plurality of digital media
objects, comprising the steps of receiving a request to transfer
the digital media objects to a second computing device from a first
computing device; transferring representations of
substantially-reduced data size of each of the digital media
objects to the second computing device; subsequently transferring
copies of original data size of each of the digital media objects
to the second computing device; wherein each of the
substantially-reduced data size representations and copies of
original data size have a transfer priority, wherein the transfer
priority of each of the substantially-reduced data size
representations is higher than the corresponding transfer priority
for each of the corresponding original data size copies; publishing
the transferred substantially-reduced data size representations so
as to enable interaction therewith by a user through a user
interface and so as to enable the user to selectively request that
an action be performed on one of the digital media objects by
requesting that the action be performed on the corresponding
published substantially-reduced data size representation; in
response to the action requested by the user, determining as a
function of the requested action whether to reprioritize transfer
of any and all untransferred copies of the corresponding digital
media objects; and wherein a unique identifier is associated with
each digital media object and the corresponding
substantially-reduced data size representation and original data
size copy.
[0023] Broadly stated, the present invention also provides a method
for facilitating user interaction with a plurality of digital media
objects, comprising the steps of receiving a request to transfer
the digital media objects to a second computing device from a first
computing device; storing representations of substantially-reduced
data size of each of the digital media objects in a first queue;
subsequently transferring representations from the first queue to a
second computing device; storing copies of original data size of
each of the digital media objects in a second queue; subsequently
transferring copies from the second queue to the second computing
device; publishing the transferred substantially-reduced data size
representations so as to enable interaction therewith by a user
through a user interface and so as to enable the user to
selectively request that an action be performed on one of the
digital media objects by requesting that the action be performed on
the corresponding published substantially-reduced data size
representation; wherein the first queue and second queue enable
reordering priority of transfer from the first and second queues
such that the priority of any representations and copies stored
therein can be changed, and wherein the first queue and second
queue enable removal of representations and copies stored therein;
in response to the action requested by the user, determining as a
function of the requested action whether to reprioritize transfer
of any and all untransferred copies of the corresponding digital
media objects from the corresponding queue; and wherein a unique
identifier is associated with each digital media object and the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representation and
original data size copy.
[0024] An advantage of the present invention is that it is
adaptable based on user interaction with published representations
of digital media objects. Another advantage according to an
embodiment of the method present invention is that the adaptability
of the present invention improves the user experience is that it
reduces delay, including the delay before a representation of a
digital media object is available on which the user can take
action.
[0025] Another advantage of the present invention is that it is
enables feedback of user interaction and any requested action
therefrom for a published substantially-reduced data size
representations of a digital media object and determines as a
function of the requested action whether to reprioritize transfer
of untransferred original data size copies of the corresponding
digital media object such that delays are reduced.
[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provide for modification of copies that are to be transferred
according to modifications requested by the user with respect to
the transferred substantially-reduced data size
representations.
[0027] These and other embodiments, features, aspects, and
advantages of the invention will become better understood with
reference to the following description, appended claims and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram illustrating digital
object transfer and publishing aspects according to a prior art
method;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary reduced file sized copies and
the original file size copies of two digital media objects;
[0030] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary diagram of blocks representing a
plurality of substantially-reduced objects that have been
transferred and published;
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a system for
illustrating aspects of the method according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows exemplary representations and an original data
size copy of each digital media object according to the method of
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary queue aspect according to a
preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of an exemplary published
webpage showing blocks representing two transferred
substantially-reduced objects;
[0035] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary set of four representations and a
copy of a digital media object for transfer according to an
embodiment of the method of the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 9 shows the exemplary set wherein each representation
and copy in FIG. 8 is transferred along with the unique identifier
associated with the corresponding digital media object.
[0037] Reference symbols or names are used in the Figures to
indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein,
with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating
like components, aspects or features shown therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a system 100
illustrating aspects of the method according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Although examples relating to photo and
digital image objects are described herein, the method of the
present invention is usable for transferring objects in other
digital media including audio and video.
[0039] The system 100 includes a client device 120 connecting via a
connection I30 to a computing device 140. The client device 120 is
a computing device, e.g., a personal computer, wireless handheld
device, or the like. The computing device 140 is a device capable
of receiving content from device 120 and publishing that content
for distribution via wired or wireless means. The computing device
140 is preferably a server. The connection I30 is via any suitable
connection protocol, wired or wireless for connecting two devices,
e.g., BLUETOOTH, cellular. The connection I30 is preferably an
Internet network connection. The content may be placed in a
collection, e.g., collection A, identified as 142, and collection
B, identified as 144.
[0040] According to the method of the present invention, the
computing device 140 both receives copies via the connection I30,
receipt indicated by the arrow 170, and feeds back information to
the client device 120 via the connection I30, receipt at the client
device 120 indicated by the arrow 160. This feedback from computing
device 140 according to an aspect of the method of the present
invention enables adaptability in the use of the information fed
back to the local client application, e.g., for reprioritizing,
i.e., reprioritization of the transfer sequence from client device
120 to computing device 140.
[0041] According to an embodiment of the method of the present
invention, a request is received to transfer one or more digital
media objects from the client device 120 to the computing device
140 for publishing thereon such that a user can access the
published objects via the connection I30 from the client device 120
or via another wired or wireless connection to a third computing
device, e.g., device 300 in FIG. 6. The request is preferably
received via a user interface of a local application installed on
the device 120.
[0042] In the exemplary system diagram in FIG. 4, a request is made
to transfer, i.e., upload, two digital media objects I1.sup.L,
identified as 22, and I2.sup.L, identified as 24, from the client
device 120 to the computing device 140. The objects 22 and 24 have
an original data size also referred to as the large size noted by
the superscript "L". In the example in FIG. 4, the objects are
stored in memory in client device 120, take up an original data
size for storage and may be in a database, a file, or the like. The
digital media objects may be images, video, or audio objects. The
objects 22 and 24 are preferably stored in client device 120 and
accessible by the local client application therefrom. Alternatively
the objects 22 and 24 are not stored on device 120, but are
accessible by the local client application installed on client
device 120, e.g., objects stored on an audio device, digital video
camcorder, or digital image camera, cell phone, or the like that is
connected wirelessly or otherwise to client device 120.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows two sets 180, 190 of three representations of a
digital media object I1, I2 including a substantially-reduced
representation, identified by "SR", (I1.sup.SR, 182 and I2.sup.SR,
192), "other" representation, identified by "O", (I1.sup.O, 184 and
I2.sup.O, 194) and a copy of the original data size of the digital
media object, identified by "L" (I1.sup.L, 186 and I2.sup.L, 196)
After receipt of the request to transfer, the method includes
transferring substantially-reduced data size representations of
each of the digital media objects to the computing device 140.
Referring to the exemplary system diagram in FIG. 4, the
substantially-reduced file size copy I1.sup.SR is transferred
first, followed by substantially-reduced file size copy I2.sup.SR
of digital media object I2, as shown at 150.
[0044] According to the method of the present invention, each of
the substantially-reduced data size representations, e.g.,
I1.sup.SR, and copies of original data size, e.g. I1.sup.L, have a
transfer priority, wherein the transfer priority of each of the
substantially-reduced data size representations e.g., I1.sup.SR, is
higher than the corresponding transfer priority for each of the
corresponding original data size copies e.g. I1.sup.L. According to
an alternative embodiment of the method, there are no other
representations, such as I1.sup.O Preferably, there are one or more
other representations, such as I1.sup.O and I2.sup.O and these
other representations have a transfer priority lower than for the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representations, and
higher than for the corresponding original data size copies.
[0045] The substantially-reduced data size representation is of
substantially-reduced data size relative to the corresponding
digital media object and preferably is the smallest size
representation of the corresponding digital media object
transferred to device 140. Preferably, the substantially-reduced
data size representation comprises identifying information, e.g.,
data about the data, provided by the requester of the transfer. For
example, the method prompts the user to provide information such as
the subject, title, category, and other information, also referred
to as metadata, about the digital media object before transfer. The
method of the present invention generates a substantially-reduced
data size representation that comprises identifying information
that preferably is text information that is a subset of the input
metadata. Alternatively, the identifying information is
automatically generated without input from the requester, e.g.,
based on other information associated with the digital media object
on the first computing device 120.
[0046] The substantially-reduced data size representation comprises
identifying information such that, once transferred to device 140
and published, enables a user to request action on the digital
media object based only on the identifying information in the
substantially-reduced data size representation. The
substantially-reduced data size representation preferably includes
the identifying information without data of the digital media
object such that the substantially-reduced data size representation
is much smaller and more rapidly transferred than the digital media
object. In the case of images, for example, the data size of the
identifying information is much smaller than even a reduced
thumbnail representation of the image, that is, unless the digital
media object is miniscule, in which case the thumbnail
representation would be considered the substantially-reduced data
size representation that is transferred first. Alternatively, the
substantially-reduced data size representation is a
substantially-reduced copy of the contents of the digital media
object, e.g., a thumbnail image. Alternatively, for a digital video
object, the substantially-reduced data size representation
comprises one or more stillframes of the corresponding digital
media object.
[0047] The "other" representations shown in FIG. 5, I1.sup.O,
I2.sup.O, are preferably of a data size between the substantially
reduced representation and the original data size. For example, the
other representation is a compressed version of the digital media
object. Preferably, one of the other representations for image
content is a thumbnail. In the case of a digital video object or
audio digital object the other representations are preferably
generated by different compression methods.
[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the local
application on the client device 120 generates the substantially
reduced data size, multiple other representations, and original
data size copies of each digital media object. Alternatively, only
a subset of the multiple generated representations are stored on
client device 120 in order to reduce space requirements.
Preferably, the substantially reduced data size representation and
three other representations are generated in addition to the
original data size copy of each of the digital media objects, but
only the substantially reduced data size representation, one of the
three other representations and the original digital media object
are stored on the client device 120. According to an alternative
embodiment, the other representations are accessible to the client
application on device 120 for the method of the present invention,
but are not generated by that client application.
[0049] The method includes publishing the transferred
substantially-reduced data size representations so as to facilitate
user interaction with those representations earlier, i.e., without
the delay of known methods. As seen in the example in FIG. 7,
transferred substantially-reduced data size representations,
I1.sup.SR and I2.sup.SR are shown published and accessed via device
300. Preferably, the published substantially-reduced data size
representations enable the user to view identifying information
contained therein and take action based on that information, e.g.,
select a representation via a left mouse click and request an
action such as deletion, rotation, request original data size copy
or other representation via a right mouse click.
[0050] The method provides feedback shown at 160 of the requested
user actions, e.g., from device 140 in FIG. 4 to client device 120
over the connection I30. This feedback provided by the method of
the present invention enables adaptability in the use of the
information fed back to the local client application for
reprioritizing the transfer of untransferred representations and
copies of digital media objects.
[0051] According to the method of the present invention, a unique
identifier is associated with each digital media object and the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representation and
original data size copy. The unique identifier is also associated
with any other representations of the corresponding digital media
objects.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary set 400 of four representations
410, 420, 430, 440 and a copy 450 of a digital media object for
transfer according to an embodiment of the method of the present
invention. FIG. 9 shows the exemplary set wherein each
representation and copy in FIG. 8 is transferred along with the
unique identifier 510 that is associated with the corresponding
digital media object.
[0053] Referring also back to FIG. 4, the unique identifiers, such
as 510, for the digital media objects are preferably generated at
the first device 120 shown in FIG. 4 and transferred along with the
corresponding substantially-reduced data size representation,
original data size copy, and, other representations, if any.
Alternatively, after transfer of the corresponding
substantially-reduced data size representation, original data size
copy, and, other representations, if any, a unique identifier 510
for each digital media object is generated at the second computing
device 140 and subsequently sent to the first computing device 120
from the second computing device 140.
[0054] The method includes publishing the transferred
substantially-reduced data size representations so as to enable
interaction therewith by a user through a user interface and so as
to enable the user to selectively request that an action be
performed on one or more of the corresponding published
substantially-reduced data size representations. The actions
include, for example, editing actions such as deletion, rotation,
placement into a collection, copying, etc. as would be known to one
of ordinary skill in the art.
[0055] A substantially-reduced data size representation preferably
comprises identifying information, without data of the digital
media object, such that the substantially-reduced data size
representation is much smaller and more rapidly transferred than
the digital media object or other representations. It should
therefore be appreciated that the rapid transfer of such small
representations enables a user to request an action for a published
substantially-reduced data size representation before the transfer
of any or all other representations and copies of all the digital
media object has completed.
[0056] In response to the action requested by the user, the method
determines as a function of the requested action whether to
reprioritize transfer of any and all untransferred copies of the
corresponding digital media objects. The unique identifier is for
providing linkage between the digital media object, and its
representations and copies. Thus, the unique identifier provides a
linkage between the published substantially-reduced data size
representations and any untransferred representations and original
data size copy of the corresponding digital media object. According
to an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the
untransferred copies are not transferred if the requested action
modifies the corresponding substantially-reduced data size
representation so as to indicate that transfer of the untransferred
copies of the corresponding digital media objects is not required.
For example, if the requested modification is deletion, the
untransferred representations and untransferred original data size
copy are not transferred.
[0057] The method also provides adaptability to reduce delays in
satisfying user requests that require other untransferred
representations or the original data size copy itself. That is, if
executing the requested action by the user regarding a published
substantially-reduced data size representation requires publishing
an untransferred representation or copy of the corresponding
digital media object, the method prioritizes transfer of the
untransferred copy such that the untransferred copy is transferred
before other untransferred representations and copies.
[0058] If it is determined that there is no requested action fed
back or no action is fed back that should affect the transfer
sequence, e.g., a request to delete a copy, the transferring
continues in the order as follows: after transfer of the
substantially-reduced data size representations, the other
representations, if any, are transferred in turn to the computing
device, and after transfer of the other representations, if any,
the copies of the original data size copies of the digital file
objects are transferred to the device 140. Alternatively, the
original file size digital media objects may be transferred without
generation of another original file size copy. Thus, the transfer
sequence, absent any feedback from device 140 regarding requested
action that causes reprioritizing of the transfer, would be as
shown at 150: I1.sup.SR, followed by I2.sup.SR, followed by
I1.sup.O, followed by I2.sup.O, followed by I1.sup.L, followed by
I2.sup.L.
[0059] According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the
present invention, if the requested action that is fed back calls
for deletion of the selected substantially-reduced file size copy,
all untransferred corresponding other reduced copies and original
file size copies of the corresponding digital media object are not
transferred. For example, suppose the user requests upload of 50
images for publishing. After the first two substantially-reduced
data size representations are transferred and published, the user
viewing the published webpage, for example, sees only
substantially-reduced data size copies, "I1.sup.SR" and "I2.sup.SR"
and not the rest since they have not yet completed the transferring
and publishing process, see e.g., FIG. 7. Suppose the user decides
that he/she finds copy I2.sup.SR undesirable based on the
identifying information of the substantially-reduced data size
representation. For example, e.g., the subject in the identifying
information for the preferred substantially-reduced data size
representation indicates to the user that it is not a desired
digital media object that the user wants published. Alternatively,
the substantially-reduced representation is a substantially-reduced
copy of the digital media object, and the user can request action
based on interacting with that copy. According to known methods,
the user would have to wait for all the digital media objects to be
transferred before he/she was allowed to delete the item, or the
user might be allowed to select a thumbnail, for example, and
request deletion, but the action would not be fed back to the
device 120 so as to enable halting of unneeded transfers. That is,
the known methods are not-adaptable. The method of the present
invention is adaptable in that it enables reprioritizing of the
transfer sequence in response to user actions.
[0060] For another example, if the requested action is rotation of
the image content of a corresponding digital media object by a
selected amount, untransferred representations and the original
data size copy of the corresponding digital media object are not
transferred, representations and the original data size copy of the
corresponding digital media object rotated by the corresponding
selected amount are generated and subsequently transferred to the
second computing device 140 shown in the example in FIG. 4.
[0061] The method of the present invention preferably enables
reprioritizing of the transfer of untransferred representations and
copies of a digital media object in response to predetermined
modifications of the digital media object on the first computing
device 120. For example, if a digital media object is deleted on
the first computing before the transfer of the corresponding
representations and copies of a digital media object, the method
preferably reprioritized transfer so as to remove the untransferred
representations and copies from the transfer sequence.
[0062] It would be advantageous to more rapidly transfer objects
and other representations based on the demand expressed for the
published substantially-reduced representation. The method of the
present invention preferably enables reprioritizing of the transfer
of untransferred representations and copies of a particular digital
media object as a function of demands for the particular published
digital media object received at the second computing device
140.
[0063] The method according to a preferred embodiment includes
queues for prioritizing transfer. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary queue
arrangement 200 having three separate queues, 210, 220, 230,
wherein three separate data sizes ("SR", substantially reduced, "O"
other data size representation, and "L", large data size) are to be
transferred to the computing device 140. The queues are structured
such that items in the queue can be removed and the items can be
reordered. For example, removal occurs for untransferred other
representations or copies in the queue if the user interacts with
the substantially-reduced data size representation so as to modify
that representation in a way that indicates that the transferring
of the untransferred other representations or copies is
unnecessary, e.g., deletion. Preferably, there are five separate
data sizes, including the substantially-reduced data size
representation, three other representations in three distinct
categories, e.g., three distinct compression types, and the
original data size, and three queues such that all of the "other"
representations are stored in one queue, the substantially-reduced
data size representation is stored in a first queue, and copies of
the original data size are stored in a second queue, and all of the
"other" representations are stored in a third queue. Preferably,
the other representations are each associated with the different
category, e.g., different compression method. Alternatively, the
other representations are stored in more than one queue, such as in
a separate queue for each category. According to a preferred
embodiment, the method orders the sequence for the transfer of the
queued copies to the computing device 140.
[0064] Alternatively, the method includes generating
representations of substantially-reduced data size of each of the
digital media objects; storing the substantially-reduced data size
representations in a first queue; generating copies of original
data size of each of the digital media objects, storing the
original data size copies in a second queue; generating the other
representations of each of the digital media objects in a plurality
of publication categories, storing the other representations in one
or more additional queues; and transferring the other
representations in the one or more additional queues to the second
computing device after transfer of the substantially reduced data
size representations in the first queue and before the transfer of
the original data size copies in the second queue.
[0065] The method of the present invention enables the user who
requested the transfer to have access to copies of published
objects via the connection I30 from either the client device 120 or
from another computing device, e.g., device 300 shown in a block
diagram in FIG. 7. Preferably the access is via a published webpage
accessible via a browser having a user interface. Alternatively,
the method enables the user who requested the transfer at client
device 120 to share the objects by making them public or
authorizing particular users to have access to the published
objects. The authorization may include allowing one or more other
users to be able to selectively edit the published objects,
including deletion, rotation, etc.
[0066] The requested action by the user for a selected
substantially-reduced file size copy can include placement of a
copy of the selected copy into one or more collections, e.g. 142,
144 in FIG. 4. In response to the requested placement action, the
method associates copies of the selected copy and the corresponding
other reduced and original file size copies with the selected one
or more collections.
[0067] It should be appreciated that although some aspects of the
present invention described herein are applicable to image and
video objects, e.g., thumbnails, the method of the present
invention is not limited to use for image and video objects but is
also usable for digital audio objects and other digital media
objects.
[0068] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments, modifications and
variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining
within the scope of the invention as described by the following
claims.
* * * * *